Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Pointer: Introduction
- Harrier versus Pointer: Overview
- Harrier versus Pointer: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Pointer
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Pointer
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Pointer
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Pointer
- Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Pointer
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Pointer
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Pointer
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Pointer
- Do Harriers shed more than Pointers?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Pointer
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Pointer?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pointer?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Pointers?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Pointer
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Pointer?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Pointers?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Pointers?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Pointer?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pointer
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Pointer. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Pointer: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier and the Pointer? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Harrier and the Pointer better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Harrier and the Pointer.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Pointer is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Harrier and for the Pointer. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Harrier and the Pointer.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Harrier or the Pointer.
Harrier versus Pointer: Overview
Both the Harrier and the Pointer are similar in size. The Harrier and the Pointer are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
On the other hand, the Pointer belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Harrier versus Pointer: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier to the Pointer based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Harrier and the Pointer
| Factor | Harrier | Pointer |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 45 to 75 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $800 – $1300 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1080 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 115 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Pointer. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Harrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pointer is 75 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Pointer. So, you should get the Harrier!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Harrier and the Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Pointer
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Pointer are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Pointer
The Harrier and the Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Pointer are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Pointer
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Pointer.
Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Pointers weigh 45 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Pointers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Lifespan of Harrier versus Pointer
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Pointers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pointers is 13.5 years.
Pointers live longer than Harriers.
Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Pointer
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers and many Pointers are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Harrier named Bailey that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Harriers like Bailey on pefinder.com.
Also, like Harriers, Pointers are also available for adoption. For example, Dennis is a Male Pointer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pointers like Dennis that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Pilot is the name of another Harrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Fisher is an adorable Male Pointer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Harriers and Pointers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Pointer
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Harrier and the Pointer over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pointer is 115 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Harrier
Popularity of Pointer
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Pointer Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 114 |
| 2014 | 181 | 119 |
| 2015 | 183 | 114 |
| 2016 | 186 | 117 |
| 2017 | 183 | 113 |
| 2018 | 189 | 114 |
| 2019 | 186 | 115 |
| 2020 | 190 | 116 |
Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Pointer
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Harrier and the Pointer are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pointer than for the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Pointer.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Pointers.
Harrier Health Problems
Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Harriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.
Pointer Health Problems
Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pointer puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pointer breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Pointers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pointers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Pointers
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Harrier Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Pointer Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the Pointer ranks 17 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 78 Pointers, 1 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pointers, and how common these diseases are in Pointers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Pointer and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Pointer:
| Disease | Harrier Rank | Pointer Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | 137 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 17 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 44 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 66 out of 144 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Pointer
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Pointers do not like to be left alone.
Do Harriers shed more than Pointers?
Harriers shed moderately.
Pointers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Pointer
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Pointer?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Pointers are very easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pointer?
Harriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Pointers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Pointers?
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Pointer
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Pointers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Pointer?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Pointers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Pointers?
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Pointers?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Pointer?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Pointers are very easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Pointer?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Pointer?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Harrier:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pointer
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pointer that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Pointer:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Pointer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Pointer to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Clumber Spaniel Harrier versus German Shepherd Dog Harrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever Harrier versus Gordon Setter Harrier versus Morkie Harrier versus Belgian Tervuren Harrier versus Skye Terrier Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund Harrier versus Japanese Spitz Harrier versus Borzoi Harrier versus Bluetick Coonhound Harrier versus Norwich Terrier Harrier versus Dogo Argentino Harrier versus Chinook Harrier versus Lhasapoo Harrier versus English Cocker Spaniel Harrier versus Mastiff Harrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai Harrier versus English Springer Spaniel Harrier versus Belgian Tervuren Harrier versus Portuguese Pointer Harrier versus Scottish Terrier Harrier versus Sheepadoodle Harrier versus Redbone Coonhound Harrier versus Shiloh Shepherd
Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pointer versus Dogue de Bordeaux Pointer versus Yorkipoo Pointer versus Harrier Pointer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Pointer versus Bulldog Pointer versus Newfoundland Pointer versus Brittany Pointer versus Labradoodle Pointer versus Gordon Setter Pointer versus American Foxhound Pointer versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Pointer versus Icelandic Sheepdog Pointer versus American Water Spaniel Pointer versus Toy Poodle Pointer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Pointer versus Australian Kelpie Pointer versus Kishu Ken Pointer versus Bolognese Pointer versus Azawakh Pointer versus German Longhaired Pointer Pointer versus Cocker Spaniel Pointer versus Morkie Pointer versus Bearded Collie Pointer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Conclusion: Harrier versus Pointer. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Harrier and the Pointer better suits you and your family.